How to Choose a Credit Counseling Service for Bankruptcy

As a requirement to filing bankruptcy, you must take a credit counseling course approved by the US Bankruptcy Courts. You must take this course within 180 days of filing for either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Texas. While this course is relatively quick and painless, the provider of the credit counseling course must be approved by the Department of Justice’s US Trustee Program in order to qualify you for bankruptcy. If not, you’ll end up having to retake an approved course.

Starting your Search for Credit Counseling

The best place to begin your search for an approved credit counseling service is to visit The United States Department of Justice website where they keep an extensive list of approved agencies. Agencies are listed by state and include the address and contact information.

Questions for the Credit Counseling Agency

Before choosing a credit counseling agency, it’s a good idea to contact three or more to ensure that they are in fact approved by the US Bankruptcy Courts, but also that you choose the right organization for you. A few of the most important questions to ask a credit counseling service for bankruptcy before signing up and paying their fee are:

What are the specific services does your organization offer?

What fees do you charge and what if I can’t afford them?

What qualifications do your counselors have and what training do they have?

Does your organization also offer a debtor education course?

Debtor Education Course

Once you have made it through the Dallas bankruptcy process, you must take a second course in order to have your debts discharged in bankruptcy court. The course goes over how to create a budget, manage money, and how to use credit. If you are having difficulty finding or paying for either of the necessary courses, consult your Dallas bankruptcy lawyer on what to do.

Are you a candidate for bankruptcy?

Would you like to find out if bankruptcy is the right option for you? Try our Free Online Bankruptcy Evaluation. 4 easy steps to see if bankruptcy could be the right option for you!